From Sydney Lawyer to Full-Time Van Dweller: A Corporate Escape
Phoebe Macdougall, a 37-year-old lawyer based in Sydney, made a radical lifestyle shift in 2021. After selling her Coogee apartment and briefly renting in Manly, she chose to live in a van full-time.
Her reasoning was simple: "The stress of a mortgage was not worth it."
Macdougall continues to work from a Sydney CBD office and travels regionally for client representation. She cites significant benefits from her new lifestyle, including reduced work stress, simple living, and substantial financial savings.
"The stress of a mortgage was not worth it."
The Caravan Association of Australia reports that approximately 20% of full-time van dwellers earn over $100,000, a demographic that represents about 2% of the population.
A Word of Caution
Social policy researcher Hazel Blunden warns against glamorizing van living, emphasizing that for some Australians, living in a vehicle is not a choice but a necessity.
Macdougall acknowledges she has received surprised reactions to her decision but believes others in corporate roles could adopt a similar lifestyle.